Lovejoy - making a Christmas to remember

[Gem]

Well, today was a Christmas to remember! After weeks of cloud, we set the alarm for 3:10am and woke to find clear skies. My wife, three boys and I all piled into the car and went down the road to find a clear view of the eastern horizon.... WOW!!!!! Comet Lovejoy is easily the LONGEST comet I have ever seen. Had the 80mm grab n go and could see a distinct open cluster next to the comet head - probably M7 but being low to horizon it was hard to get bearings. Tried imaging the head with the non-tracking 80mm but didn't save images (oopppsss - new to the camera still!!).
Not as bright as Comet Hyakutake for memory, but definitely A LOT bigger.

Comet Lovejoy - an appropriately named comet for Christmas 2011 and a wonderful sight! :)

[michael_sa]

Got my first glimpse and photograph of it this morning too, skies were cloudy - far from ideal, but still a great sight. Definitely one to remember!
Merry Christmas.

Michael

[Gem]

Merry Christmas Michael!
See you're from Goolwa - wonderful area! Just had a holiday there last October. Whales, dolphins, penguins, seals - we saw the lot. Special place. :)

[Ian Flowes]

Saw Lovejoy on the early hours of the 23rd morning....what a name and what a feeling!!!!!

[Paddy]

Had a lovely view on 23rd, certainly a ripper comet!